Engine.



No. 678,384. Patentd July l6, IBM.

0. E. FELGENHAUEB.-

ENGINE.

(Application filed Fab. 1. 1901.)

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CHARLES E. FELGENHAUER, OF RACINE, \VISOONSIN.

ENGINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 678,384, dated July 16, 1901.

Application filed February 1, 1901. Serial No. 45,543. (No model.)

To LLZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, CHARLES E. FELGEN- HAUER, residing in Racine, in the county of Racine and State of Wisconsin, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Engines, of which the following is a description, reference being bad to the accompanying drawings, which are a part of this specification. I Y

My invention has relation toimprovements in engines.

The primary object of the invention is to provide a simple form of engine in which an initial reciprocating motion is converted into rotary motion-and in which also the necessity for. numerous stuffing-boxes or other means for preventing leakage is avoided.

With the above primary object in view th invention consists of the devices and parts or their equivalents, as hereinafter more fully set forth.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a side elevation of the engine. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal vertical sectional view. Fig. 3 is a cross-section on the line 3 3 of Fig. 2 looking toward the left. Fig. 4 is a section on the line 4 4 of Fig. 2 looking in the same direction. Fig. 5 is a detail view of the cam; and Fig. 6 is a detail view of the valve and the mechanism for reversing the same, part being broken away.

Referring to the drawings, the numeral 7 indicates the outer casing, preferably of cylindrical form and provided with a main central longitudinal bore 8 and a series of chambers 9 9' Siadvisably of cylindrical form, surrounding the central bore. The cylinder may be provided at one end with a cap-piece 10,preferably detachably connected by means of screw-bolts IL This cap-piece is provided with a central opening 12, registering with the central bore of the cylinder, and said opening is preferably threaded to provide for the connection thereto of the inner threaded end of a tube 13.

The valve 14 of the engine is rotatably fitted in the bore of the cylinder. near its outer end is divided by means of a wall 15, and to this wall is connected the inner end of the valve-stem 16, said stem extending longitudinally of the tube 13 and out through the outer v end of said tube. The

shaft is a cam 33.

This valve end, as indicated by the numeral-21, and in this extended portion is formed a series of inlet steam-ports 22, 22, and 22 and a series of outlet steam-ports 22 22 and 22 the said inlet-ports being in register,respectively,with small recesses 23, forming steam leads on the inner face of the cap-piece 10. These steam leads 23 communicate, respectively, with the cylindrical chambers 9 9 9 In these cylindrical chambers are fitted pistons 24 24 24 Each piston is preferably provided at its outer end with an annular recess 25, in which is fitted a packing-ring 26. The'inner end of each piston is also preferably bifurcated, as clearly shown in Fig. 2, and in the bifurcated end'is mountedanantifriction-roller 27.

The numeral 28 indicates the main shaft, preferably of tubular form, and on the outer end of .this shaft is carried a belt-wheel 29. The shaft has its bearing in an upright standard 30, and the inner end of the shaft extends into the bore 8 of the cylinder, the inner extremity of said shaft being recessed at opposite points, as indicated by the numeral 31, and these recesses are adapted to receive projections 32 32, extending from the inner end of the valve. Mounted fast upon the main Preferably interposed between the outer face of this cam and the inner face of the standard 30 are antifrictionballs 34, said balls being seated in opposed annular recesses in the cam and standard.

The cam projects into an annular recess 35, extending from the end of the cylinder inwardly for a desired distance, and with this annular recess the inner ends of the cham- I bers 9 9 9 communicate in order to permit the inner cam edge of the cam to receive thereagainst the antifriction-rollers 27, carried by the inner ends of the pistons. The

inlet-pipe is indicated by the numeral 35, and this pipe communicates with the interior of the tube 13.

Fitted movably upon the Outer end of the tube 13 is a cap 36, and the top surface of this cap is provided with an obliquely-arranged slot 37, said slot receiving therein the upper end of a pin 38, projecting upwardly from the tube 13. As a convenient means for imparting a longitudinal movement of the cap-piece 36 on the tube 13, I provide ahandle 39, the lower end of which is adapted to engage a recess at the outer end of the cap-piece. Mounted on the end of the valve-rod 16 which projects outwardly beyond the cap-piece 36 is a plate 40, and interposed between this plate and the end of the cap-piece are a series of antifriction-balls 41, said balls being seated in opposed recesses in the plate and the end of the cap piece. Against the outer face of the plate 40 is adapted to be turned a nut 42, the outer extremity of the valve-rod being threaded to adapt this nut to turn thereon.

In the accompanying illustration of my invention the valve 14 is shown as thrust inwardly to its full extent. Under this adjustment of the valve the inlet-port 17 and the outlet-port 18 relating thereto are the active ports. The live steam passes through the inlet-pipe 35 into the bore of the tube 13, and thence enters the outer end of the valve, being prevented from passing the length of the valve by means of the wall 15. The steam which so enters the outer end of the valve is free to pass through the inlet-opening 17, and thence through one of the ports 22, 22, or 22 In Fig. 3 of the drawings the inlet-opening 17 is shown in full registration with the port 22 and in part registration with the port 22. The

steam therefore is free to pass through the port 22 into one of the steam leads 23, and thence by way of said lead into the end of the chamber 9, where it acts against the end of the piston 24. The steam thus acting against said piston will force the piston toward the opposite end of the chamber 9 and the antifriction-roller 27 of said piston will .act on the cam edge of the cam 33 and necessarily cause a rotation of said cam. As the cam is fast to the shaft 28 said shaft 28 is caused to be rotated therewith, and the rotation of the shaft may be conveyed to any other mechanism by means of a belt (not shown) passed around the wheel 29. The retation of the shaft is also communicated to the valve, and this rotation of the valve will bring the different openings thereof into active play. The steam is also just beginning to pass through the port 22, thence into the lead 23 relating thereto, and thence to the chamber 9, so that before the piston 24 has completed its active stroke the piston 24 is beginning to move in the same direction and to likewise act on the cam edge of the cam 33. When the pistons 24 24 are moving in the direction described, the other piston 24 is moving in the opposite direction or toward the end of the cylinder 7, to which the cap-piece 10 is connected, this movement being imparted thereto by reason of the peculiar shape of the cam edge. The steam in advance of the piston 24 as said piston thus moves passes from the chamber 9 through the port 22 thence through the opening 18 of the valve, and thence into the interior of the valve and out through the hollow shaft 28. It is of course obvious, however, that the outlet or exhaust steam may be conducted out of the valve by way of some course other than a hollow shaft 28, especially where it is contemplated to use a solid shaft. The operation just described continues so that a continuous rotary motion is imparted to the shaft 28, two of the pistons moving in a direction to rotate the cam, while the other piston is moving in the opposite direction to exhaust the steam in advance thereof.

While I have herein shown and described three of the pistons, yet it will be understood that a less number-as, for instance, one or twoor a greater number of said pistons may be employed, if desired, without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention.

The operation just described is such that the engine will run only in one direction. If it is desired to reverse the direction of rotation of the shaft, the handle 39 is grasped and turned. This turning oft-he handle by reason of the engagement of the pin 38 with the oblique slot 37 will cause an out movement of the cap-piece, and this out movement of the cap-piece will be communicated to the Valve-rod 16 by reason of the plate 40, mounted upon said valve-rod. The movement outward of the valve-rod will of course carry the valve therewith to such an extent as to bring the openings 17 and 18 of said valve out of working position and put the openings 19 and 20 of said valve into working position. When these latter openings are in line to register with the ports 22, 22, and 22 the course of the steam is such as to compel a reverse rotation of the engine. In the turning of the cap 36 in either direction the extent of turning is determined by the engagement of the pin 38 with recesses 43 43, formed in the oblique slot 37. When the cap is turned to such a position that the pin 38 occupies a medial position between the recesses, then both sets of openings in the valve are out of registration, and hence the engine will cease to run. After the valve is pulled outwardly in the manner described above, so as to make the openings 19 and 20 active, and it is desired to again reverse the engine, the handle 39 is turned in the opposite direction in order to bring the slots 17 and 18 again in register.

From the above description it will be seen that I provide a construction of engine in While I have herein described steam as the actuating agent, yet I wish it understood that any other desirable agent may be employedsuch as gas, air, and the likewithout departing from the spirit and scope of vmy invention.

What I claim as my invention is 1. In an engine, the combination of an outer casing having a central chamber or bore and also provided with a chamber surrounding said central chamber or bore, a piston-chamber in communication with said surrounding chamber or bore, a valve Within the bore of the casing, said valve provided with an inletopening and with an outlet-opening, said inlet-opening adapted, when the valve is actuated, to be brought into register with the port leading to the piston-chamber, and the outletopening being in register With an exhaustpassage, and adapted, in the actuation of the valve, to be brought into register with the piston chamber, means for feeding to the Valve, a piston in the piston-chamber, and adapted to be actuated in one direction when the actuating agent is admitted into-the piston-chamber, amain shaft forming a continuation of the valve, said shaft and valve being rotatable together, and a cam within the chamber surrounding the central bore or chamber of the casing and mounted on the main shaft the inner end thereof extending into the piston-chamberin position to be acted upon by the inner end of the piston so as to cause the rotation of the cam and the shaft, when the piston is moved inwardly, said cam also in its rotation causing the piston to move outwardly, and thereby exhaust the actuating agent in advance thereof.

2. In an engine, the combinationof an outer casing having a central chamber or bore, and also provided with a chamber surrounding said central chamber or bore, a piston-chamber in communication with said surrounding chamber,a longitudinally-movable valve within the bore of the casing, said valve provided with a plurality of sets of inlet and outlet openings, one of said inlet-openings adapted, when the Valve is actuated, to be brought into register with a port leading to the piston-- chamber, and one of said outlet-openings being in register with an exhaust-passage, and adapted to be brought into register with the piston-chamber when the valve is actuated, means for feeding steam to the valve, a piston in the piston-chamber, and adapted to be actuated in one direction when the actuating agent is admitted into the piston-chamber, a main shaft to which the valve is connected so as to rotate therewith, a cam within the chamber'surrounding the central bore or chamber of the oasin g and mounted on the. main shaft, the inner end thereof extending into the piston-chamber in position to be acted upon by the inner end of the piston so as to cause the rotation of the cam and the shaft, when the piston is moved inwardly, said cam also in'its rotation causing the piston to move outwardly and thereby exhaust the actuating agent'in advance thereof, and means for moving the valve longitudinally so as to bring either one or the other of the set of inlet and outlet openings thereof into working position.

3. In an engine, the combination of an outer casing having a chamber or bore, a longitudinally-movable valve within the bore of the casing, said valve provided with a plurality of sets of inlet and outlet openings, a valverod extending from the Valve, a tube extending from the casing and into which tube the valve-rod extends, said tube having a pin projecting therefrom, a cap on the end of the tube, said cap provided with an oblique slot which the pin engages, means for turning the cap, and a connection between the cap and said inlet-openings adapted, when the valve is actuated, to be brought into register with a port leading to the piston-chamber, and one of said outlet-openings being in register with an exhaust passage, and adapted to be brought into register with the piston-chamher, a valve-rod extending from the valve, a tube extending from the casing, and into which tube the valve-rod projects, said tube having a pin extending therefrom, a cap on the end of the tube, said cap provided with an oblique slot which the pin engages, means for turning the cap, a connection between the cap and the valve-rod to cause said valverod and its valve to move longitudinally When the cap is turned in either direction, the movement of the valve longitudinally bringing either one or the other of the sets of inlet and outlet openings thereof into working position, means for feeding steam to the valve,

a piston in the piston-chamber and adapted to be actuated in one direction when the actuating agent is admitted into the pistonchamber, a main shaft to which the valve is connected so as to rotate therewith, and a cammounted on said main shaft, the inner "end thereof being acted, upon by the inner end of the piston so as to cause the rotation of the cam and the shaft, when the piston is moved inwardly, said cam also in its rotation causing the piston to move outwardly and thereby exhaust the actuating agent in advance thereof.

5. In an engine, the combination of an outer casing having a central chamber or bore and also provided with a chamber surrounding said central chamber or bore, a plurality of piston-chambers in communication with said surrounding chamber or bore, a valve within the bore of' the casing, said valve provided with an inlet-opening and with an outlet opening, said inlet-opening adapted, when the valve is actuated, to be brought into successive registration with ports leading to the piston-chambers, and the outlet-opening being in register with an exhaust-passage, and adapted in the actuation of the valve, to be brought into successive registration with the piston-chambers, means for feeding steam to the valve, pistons in the pistonchambers, and adapted to be actuated in one direction when the actuating agent is admitted into the piston-chambers, a main shaft forming a continuation of the valve, said shaft and valve being rotatable together, and a cam within the chamber surrounding the central 

